Anhinga
(Taylor Creek Storm Water Management Center – Part 3 of 5)
I was very excited to discover an Anhinga at Taylor Creek both days I visited and wanted to give this tropical-looking water bird it’s own series. And it’s another lifer for me!
This Anhinga was sitting along a ditch that was full of green pollen. You can see the Anhinga’s eyes are surrounded by a bright blue patch of skin which occurs during breeding season.
As soon as I took that shot above, the Anhinga slipped down the slope and I lost sight of him. I stepped a little closer to see where he went, when he suddenly popped up in the water on the other side of the ditch. With an afternoon snack!
The Anhinga held onto his meal and made his way to the embankment and climbed out. The pollen in the water clung all over him. And look at those big bright feet!
Of course, we all know what he proceeded to do!
And just like that, the fish was gone.
When I looped back around to head out, I found him over on a nice, grassy spot sunning. All cleaned up and belly full!
I fell in love with the next pose and photo.
During my second visit at a different location within Taylor Creek, I found an Anhinga again. What luck, I felt!
After politely enduring his photo op session with me, Mr. Anhinga turned to his waterside buddy, the Tricolored Heron, and said…..
“Pssssssst……I hear you and your species are the feature in the next post!”
Photos by Donna 
wow wow wow! Amazing captures of this beauty!
I was so super excited with this fella, I burned up a battery on my camera and had to dig for my spare, lol. Not so fun when that happens and the bird flies away. Thank goodness he didn’t, he was a super trooper! 🙂
Stunning shots and love the comment about burning up your battery….
We are a fumbling mess when those batteries stop and we’re digging for the extra one! lol But I learned my lesson long time ago, never ever go with your camera and not take a spare battery. I forget what photo op I missed, but I wanted to cry! Thanks Nexi for your comments. 🙂
… after reading your post, I dug out the new spare lithium battery I bought with the camera (some years back) – and put it on charge – only to find it’s degraded! Generally take a spare compact with me or use iphone as last resort. I’m just wondering about replacing the worn out compact as you get so much more for the outlay now!
Wow, never even heard of an Anhinga before, Donna! What a magnificent creature! What a cute little face and I just love the black and white. Wonderful! You’re really getting some amazing shots of birds most of us have never seen before!
I’m still not quite sure how to pronounce Anhinga, lol. They are a close resemblance to the Double-crested Cormorant, juveniles of both can look much alike. I too love those black and white feather streaks and that breeding blue eye patch. 🙂 Oh my, I’m almost dizzy with all of the birds. I told my husband today, at home, my mouth would water for a heron or egret sighting, here they fly along side you on the highways and sit in parking lots and on poles, it’s almost surreal to me!
It does sound surreal! Are you going to be there for awhile? It’s a new surprise every time you post!
We leave on Friday…. 😦 We were actually suppose to leave Tuesday, but just extended til then due to the weather coming to the east coast Tues-Thurs. We’d rather be safe than sorry in the drive back, we tow a truck with a golf cart in it. OMG, I have so many photos to go through, I’m still snapping away daily in the campground, I can’t help it, it’s just too easy. I’m on overload and dizzy! 🙂 Hubby is quite tired of the birds. But he’s a trooper and knows I’m feeling much better from the past year with Mom’s passing and estate dissolving. I didn’t mention in my blogs what my November medical problem was, I had a darn mild stress-related heart attack. I’m doing fine and have no damage so don’t be alarmed! 🙂 I have worked on eliminating my stress, and bird photography is a blessing to me.
I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better! Nature certainly is medicine to the soul. It’s almost like we’re all on this trip with you! 🙂
You are right, nature IS medicine for the soul. Thanks so much, Laura! 🙂
Amazing photo series, it is such fun to watch them hunt and eat.
Thanks Charlie, it really is great entertainment and it’s free! Not too much in life is free anymore, lol.
Great captures of the excitement of fishing and dining! I can’t get over the fact that they just swallow their catch whole 🙂
Thanks Helen! It was great entertainment for sure, such a beauty. 🙂
Wonderful series of photos! You showed this bird at its best!
I was hoping to see this bird while here but really thought they were only on the coast and around the Everglades. So I am tickled with this find! 🙂
More great photos of yet another lifer, Florida must be a birder’s dream come true this time of year.
I know it is my dream come true! :-)))
Very interesting bird!
During breeding season when the blue eye patch appears, sure makes him a beauty. I was thrilled with finding him!
OMG! That would be a lifer for me too! Amazing sight and catch for both you and the Cormorant! The all cleaned up and beautiful image is wonderful. Great clarity, and clear eye! I’m loving the arm-chair tour, and exciting birds you’re seeing!
I can’t even begin to put in words how exciting this couple weeks have been. We came here to get away and just chill & be lazy. At last minute, it was hard to find a campground due to the RV ‘snowbirds’ that snag them a year in advance. So this location isn’t the greatest for much else to do (for hubby), but it’s a hidden gem for birders for sure. So glad you’re loving the tour with me! 🙂
I have an inkling of an idea of how you’re feeling. 🙂
You’ll float all the way home!
On the Eagle spirit back! 🙂
🙂
I saw it in Everglades NP few years ago. Fantastic bird !
I had heard they were quite abundant down in the Everglades, sure hope they stay clear of those gators! 🙂
A Great catch by the Anhinga and great catches by you Donna! Our version of this bird is called a Darter, and looks very similar. I have seen it throw a fish into the air open its mouth and swallow it whole head first, they are amazing to watch. You have some really great clear pics!
I learned from someone here in Florida that ours is also called an American Darter. Now it makes sense since you have a Darter too! I’ve seen our Great Blue Herons do the fish toss, how these birds get that fish down whole in a few gulps is amazing. This was an awesome find for me, especially with the hunt and dine series! 🙂
Well done Donna I can feel your delight and excitement it is very kindred to ours when we go to new places and have new birding experiences.
Those pictures with his wings spread are amazing! I am so glad you were able to take this trip and so glad that you are back to blogging!
Thanks so much, Kathy, as Laura commented earlier, nature is medicine for the soul. And it is! It is here free for us to observe, enjoy, and respect. Our Creator is the ultimate artist! 🙂
Great photographs dear Donna. And how amazing he can find fish there, I loved his wings… you captured such a beautiful poses… Thank you, Love, nia
The water was so full of pollen, I too was amazed there were fish in there. He was a beauty and an exciting find for me! ❤
How they see and catch… amazing. 🙂
Oh my – what an amazing bird! The wing is fascinating and the feathers next to the body are so different. And then there are those eyes; that over the shoulder pose is prize worthy. You did good!!! hugs
When I first spotted him fishing, that adrenaline rush occurred that we both know! lol I was thinking that over shoulder pose is one of my finest. Glad you think so too! ❤
Great photo Donna! It sound like this vacation is just what you needed. So glad you are feeling better!
Thanks David, I feel like I’m in a dream with all these new bird lifers. Glad to see you’re back to blogging! 🙂
What a beautiful and interesting bird.
Thank you!
Right place at the right time. That is surely a skill to envy. Beautiful series of shots.
Sometimes a gift appears for the eye of the beholder. Having our camera ready is up to us! 🙂
I enjoyed the Anhinga’s dining adventures, and look forward to seeing what the Tri-colored is up to!
The pollen-filled ditch was disappointing to me, but hey, he didn’t mind at all! 🙂
Fascinating photos-good exposure showing wing and feather detail.
Thanks, Jane, I was so glad to capture them with their wings spread open to show their beauty and contrast. 🙂
Love it! What a treat for you and for the rest of us.
He was a beauty! 🙂
They are so beautiful this time of year!
I was beyond thrilled to see just how beautiful their colors were this time of year! 🙂
Yes they are the best! 🙂